The festival, spearheaded by the nonprofit Punjabi Sports & Cultural Association of Michigan, is free and open to the public. Karn Gill, one of the organizers, said financial support for the event, in its eight year, has grown to over $120,000.

Gill said the gathering is expected to draw people not only from across metro Detroit but also from cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Toronto, Canada.

He said the mela is intended to show the traits – toughness, hard work, honesty and humbleness – to which he said the Punjabi people, with roots in India and Pakistan, aspire.

A game of Kabaddi is played at a previous Punjabi event in Canton.(Photo: PSCA Michigan)

"This is for everybody," he said. "We just want to show others what kind of people we are."

"This has been a nice fit," she said. "They need the space and we've got it. It's a nice event for the community."

TejKiran Singh of the Sikh Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Michigan said the mela is a family friendly way for the community to come together to enjoy food, sports and the company of others.

"It's a festive mood," he said, "and there is something for everybody. I really hope that we can expand this to the whole community."

During a recent peace walk in Canton's Heritage Park, Dr. Syed Taj, a former Canton Township trustee, said the Punjabi mela has become more successful over the years.

A group of men performs a cultural dance.(Photo: PSCA Michigan)

"It's a very big deal," Taj said.

The festival features four main sports competitions including Kabaddi, which is a contact sport originating in India, volleyball, soccer and athletic events such as running. Gill, of Coldwell Banker Preferred Realtors of Plymouth, said teams will compete for awards.

Gill said a Punjabi concert is expected to begin about 5:30 p.m. He said the mela has become successful amid strong financial support from hundreds of sponsors. Among the largest:

Children participate in one of the athletic events during a previous Punjabi festival in Canton.(Photo: PSCA Michigan)

Gill said some area public and elected officials are likely to attend the mela, which has more than doubled in attendance since it began eight years ago. Vendors also are expected to bring merchandise ranging from artwork to clothing.

This year, as in others, the Punjabi community is hopeful of reaching out to other segments of metro Detroit to build relations.